_buon natale_

Well it's Christmas day! I don't know where all of the time has gone! But currently I am in Marina's living room, on Christmas day. I never thought I would be in Italy for it all! What a year this has been. I can't believe it!

Last night I was able to skype with my beautiful family during their Christmas Eve dinner. It was amazing to see them all together and at the table, with all the food and everything. I miss them all terribly! But it felt so much better just to talk with them all, and see everyone together. Even Marina got to say 'hi' and talk to everyone. What a blessing it has been to be with her and her family this Christmas; they have to be some of the most generous and hospitable people I know. It has been awesome to see what an Italian Christmas is like and celebrate with them. I am eternally grateful!

Even though Christmas here has been lovely, it is still hard not to be home with my family and friends for the holidays, especially since some of them will leave again soon after Christmas or New Years. You know that feeling of missing out? Well, multiply it by 100, and that's about the feeling of missing Christmas at home. BUT, I know that it will make all the following Christmases that much sweeter. I love my family dearly.

But all of these things, when boiled down, are mostly tradition, and tradition can be beautiful. But true Christmas depends on not the location your in, the people you are with, whether or not you have snow or rain or sunshine, or whether you have gifts or not. True Christmas depends on one person, and one person only:

Happy Birthday Jesus!!